PVCC FACULTY SENATE MINUTES
Disclaimer

Members Present:   Tom Butler, Muriel Coil, Marilyn Cristiano, Mitzi Ferrell, Jeanne Franco, Abby Hemingway, Sherry Loch, Carmen Marquez, Steve Platte, Gary Quick, Sally Rings, Lois Roma-Deeley.

Guests: Bob Bendotti, Jim Rubin

Members Absent: Lynn Lalko, Fred Wieck.

1.   Call To Order/Approval of Agenda
  The Senate meeting was called to order at 3:02pm
  Agenda approved as written.

2. Approval of Minutes 3/5/98
 
    The 3/5/98 minutes were approved as submitted.
 
3. Campus Reports

3.1.  Enrollment Management - Bob Bendotti
Bob noted that the Noel Levitz survey results have been tabulated and the Enrollment Management Team are now going through the analysis process.  A user friendly report will presented campus wide and we will be given the opportunity to look at the data more deeply if we choose.

3.2.  Committee Re-Design - Bob Bendotti
The open enrollment period will be within the next three weeks.  Bob and Sally are looking for creative ways to restructure the enrollment process so that the pattern of  rolling over the same committee members  year after year is broken.  Bob is also looking for suggestions as to how to ensure that all committees will meet early in the fall semester to begin their tasks.  Mitzi Ferrell suggested that each committee chair be asked to set up a 15 minute meeting during the 10-day beginning-of-the-year accountability window for the purpose of bringing the committee members together to create a community and establish a meeting schedule for the year.  All faculty were urged to think about these issues and send any suggestions to Bob or Sally.

In a related discussion, Tom Butler suggested that the Senate explore the possibility of continuing the extra week of accountability (and moving the start date of the fall semester back) every year to give us the extra days to establish our committees and participate in faculty growth activities.  Jeanne Franco suggested that we see how the extra 5 days of accountability serves us next year, and she moved that this issue be placed on the first 1998/99 Senate Agenda for review.  Motion passed unanimously.

3.3  Employee Development - Bob Bendotti
The Employee and Organizational Development Team is working on planning the All Employee Fall Meeting.  Bob reported that those faculty and staff members who have taken advantage of the employee development funds to attend conferences and seminars will be asked to share with their colleagues their experiences and insights from these activities.  Bob also requested that if anyone has any ideas for activities/topics that would be of interest to faculty or staff members, they bring them to the attention of anyone of the Staff or Faculty Development Committee members.  Several Senators suggested that we have a Faculty Retreat as well after the All Employee Meeting in the fall to promote community.  Jeanne pointed out that the PVCC Faculty Association Constitution also requires that we  have an all faculty meeting each semester, and next year there will be an amendment to the constitution to consider at that meeting.

Bob also made the following comments regarding the President's Retreat:  The report from the President's Retreat is being compiled and faculty will each receive a copy which will include the issues discussed, recommendations for each issue, and first steps for moving forward.  The goal is not to create new committees as a result of the President's Retreat but rather to plug the issues identified into existing committees so the information can help to structure planning for the future.  Dr. Cardenas intends to follow up with more discussion involving more individuals as we continue to create a sense of community at PVCC.

3.4.  Curriculum - Marilyn Cristiano
Marilyn provided an update on new degree development.  It was noted that the GSDS recommendation to amend the MCCCD AGEC to require that 2 courses need to be taken from Cultural Diversity in the United States and Global or Historical Awareness Areas rather than from all three awareness areas was approved by the DCC.  Also noted was that the AGEC will be implemented fall semester of 1998 and the new degrees implemented spring semester of 1999.  Lisa Miller asked that faculty support new course offerings or new sections of existing courses with requests for library materials.
 

4.1.  Treasurer/Membership - Mitzi Ferrell
Mitzi reported that the combined balance in the Association checking and saving accounts is
$6,281.49.  This represents an addition of $13.05 from interest.  Of the total dollars in the account, $2,280.50 is in the Faculty Association Scholarship Fund and $4,000.99  is in the Association General Fund.  The Treasurer's Report was approved as written.
 
 4.2.  Secretary - Jeanne Franco
         No report.
 
4.3.  President-Elect - Steve Platte
The Public Employees Whistle-Blower Bill (HB2182) has passed the state House of Representatives and will be acted on by the state Senate any day now.  This bill gives important protections against reprisals to public employees, including faculty, who report official wrong-doing, misuse of public funds, etc.  Even though the House removed the provision for community college faculty to appeal to the state personnel board (as university faculty would be allowed to do), community college and university administrators continue to strongly oppose this bill.  Steve urged all faculty to contact their state senator to support passage of this bill.  Please contact Steve for information on how to lobby your senator.

For updates on the status of this bill, point your web browser to the Arizona Legislative Information Services (ALIS) web page at
                    http://www.azleg.state.az.us/
and search for HB2182 or the "public employees whistle-blower bill."  Please contact Steve if you have any questions or concerns.
 
 4.4.  President - Sally Rings

From President's Cabinet:   There have been no President's Cabinet meetings since the last Senate meeting.
 
From Faculty Executive Council:
1.  Meet and Confer:  The workstudy session with the Board on March 10 re:  the FEP went very well, with the Board being satisfied that its questions were answered.  One of the issues has been mandatory administrative review of probationary faculty.  Current proposed language reads, "Classroom evaluations conducted by the Dean and Department/Division Chairperson will be mandatory for the first 2 years of the probationary period.  The Dean and Department/Division Chairperson in response to a written, signed complaint from a student may initiate a classroom visitation in any year from the start of the third probationary year to the end of the probationary period."
2.  Dues:  The proposed '98-'99 Faculty Association budget has prompted discussion of AAUP dues and Faculty Association dues.  No decisions yet.
3.  Deferred Pay:  Dr. Waechter is willing to enter into dialogue regarding pay options (20 pays or 26 pays) for faculty.  It is possible that all faculty will have the opportunity to vote on pay options using the new Faculty Voting A1 account.
4.  Retirement/ASRS Problem:  An article will appear in the next Peerpoint on problems with the Arizona State Retirement System.  Mathematical errors have been made on the years of service of two CGCC faculty.  The problem occurred in '90-'91 when faculty were paid for 3 weeks at the end of the year.  As a result, the ASRS recorded that all faculty did not work a full year then.  Efforts are being made to resolve the problem.
5.  PAC:  The information of the PAC filed with the Secretary of State's office needs to be updated.  There are stiff rules regarding the PAC, and Council should get legal consultation on the current elections laws involving PACs and liability issues of PAC members.  Pat Case will look into getting a consultant to visit a council meeting to discuss the PAC.
6.  Faculty Role in Curriculum Decisions:  A subcommittee was formed to look at strategies for dealing with the issues, such as the block transfer programs and universities reclassifying MCCCD courses as upper division.
 

5.1.  Professional Growth - Lynda Santiago/John Nelson
Yesterday was the deadline for Summer Project applications.  Seven people for PVCC have applied for summer projects.
 
 

6.1.  Book Loan Fund - Fred Wieck
        Jim Rubin reported that Fred would like to put this item on next year's agenda.  The Senate agreed to do so.
 
6.2   Faculty Hiring Procedures - Sally Rings
The final wording that has been approved by Dr. Cardenas that reflects where we are currently in revising the faculty hiring procedures is as follows:
    1.  The President and Dean of Instruction meet with screening committees to review job descriptions and job requirements and to discuss other areas of concern.
    2.  The President and the Dean of Instruction interview the three final candidates in unranked order.
    3.  If the candidates are not acceptable, the President and the Dean of Instruction will meet with the  faculty screening committee to discuss whether the next three candidates will be interviewed or whether the position should be closed and re-advertised.  If the President determines that there is an urgency to fill a position, he will select a candidate on a one-year-only basis.  The President, through the Dean of Instruction, will notify the chair of the particular discipline prior to the hiring.

Sally asked the Senate if they wish to pursue this topic with the President further.  It was decided to allow the current wording to stand.

6.3.  Elections - Muriel Coil/ Steve Platte
Muriel announced that the new division/department chairs are as follows:
    Sonya Woodard - Mathematics
    Lynn Lalko - Science
    Karen Winden - Human Development
Muriel thanked the Election Committee members for their help in the election process.  The committee thanked Muriel for her leadership and hard work.

Carmen will be sending an A1 to announce the '98-'99 Senate seat openings and to explain the timeline of the election process.  Senators were asked to promote Senate membership in their divisions so we have a full complement of Senators next year.

6.4.  Faculty Scholarship - Sally Rings
The deadline for application for the Faculty Scholarship is April 10.  Carmen, Marilyn and Lois volunteered to form the Scholarship Committee which will make the selection of this year's scholarship recipient.  Senators were asked to announce in their divisions that everyone should promote application for this scholarship in their classes.  Sally will also send an A1 to all faculty in this effort.

6.5. Goals - Sally Rings
Sally read through the '97-98 Senate Goals and it was determined that all goals have been met with the exception of two.  Next year the Senate will concentrate on advocating teaching for learning in a more effective way, and the Senate will also consider the Book Fund issue.
 
 

7.1.  Book Angel Drive - Muriel Coil
The Book Angel Drive began on April 1, and 193 titles have been identified on a "Title Sheet" that is available in the library.  Faculty and staff are urged to donate one of these titles or select a title of their own to donate to the library during the month of April.  A reception is planned to honor the donors on April 22nd from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

7.2.  Fred Wieck's Status - Sally Rings
It was determined that Fred's absences from Senate meetings have been due to conflicting college business and therefore are excused.  Fred is urged to find a replacement Senator next year if the conflicting commitments continue so that Counseling is properly represented at Senate meetings.

7.3  Division Chair Evaluation Form - Sally Rings
Jack Sexton asked Sally to bring the issue of the length of the Division Chair Evaluation Form to the Senate for possible revision.  Jack has heard concerns that the instrument is too long.  After discussion it was agreed that this instrument was fine as is, and a motion was made to do nothing.  Motion passed.

9.  Adjournment
The Faculty Senate meeting was adjourned at 4:59 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted by
  Jeanne Franco
  Senate Secretary